Favoring a concubine and destroying the wife? I'll abandon my husband and children and wipe out

Upon hearing the news, Ye Ruyue rushed over and quickly asked Zhao Ye what had happened.

"What else could it be? It's all because of the rumored original owner of those poems and articles in the Purple Bamboo Pavilion!"

Ye Ruyue's heart skipped a beat.

"I sent Qian Yidong to secretly arrest someone, but someone recognized him as one of my men. Now there are all sorts of rumors going around, saying that I sent him to arrest someone to silence him, but the person is actually the original author!"

"Therefore, the people spread rumors that I am ruthless and use my power to oppress others. They also believe that my son is just like me, convinced that those poems were not written by Zege'er. Xiangchunlou has even removed Zege'er's poems!"

Zhao Ye said angrily.

Madam Zhao slammed her hand on the table in anger: "Outrageous! Mr. Zhou came to the mansion in public this morning, wasn't that enough to prove the truth? How dare a bunch of lowly people slander us like this!"

Ye Ruyue was also furious: "They won't even look at what's right in front of them, but they readily believe someone they never saw or could find at the Purple Bamboo Pavilion yesterday. They're as stupid as pigs!"

Zhao Ye sat down with a gloomy face: "There are some who believe the Zhao family, but the vast majority of them doubt and believe the rumors, and they even spread them with great detail. Just now, when I was leaving the Ministry of Rites, I even saw a commoner throwing rotten vegetable leaves at me and cursing me as a corrupt official!"

Madam Zhao and Ye Ruyue were slightly startled and immediately asked Zhao Ye how he was and whether he had been injured.

Zhao Ye shook his head and said fiercely, "But because of these foolish people, there is really no room for me to get promoted this time."

His clothes were dirty at the time, and he didn't want to go back to the mansion and lose face, so he went back to the side hall of the Ministry of Rites to tidy up his clothes. He happened to run into a colleague with whom he usually had a good relationship, and the colleague looked at him strangely.

Zhao Ye sensed something was wrong and pulled the other person aside to question him several times before the other person finally told him the reason for losing the spot. The higher-ups had heard the rumors early that morning and, after confirming that he had indeed sent someone to Zizhu Pavilion, believed it halfway. They would never promote an official whose reputation and character seemed to be tainted.

Madam Zhao roared, "Guards! Zhang Mama! Go and find out where those rumors came from right now. Catch the culprits and punish them severely. If you find anyone spreading these rumors, bring them on board too..."

“Mother, please don’t cause trouble now. If you take action against the people, the higher-ups will probably have an even worse impression of me,” Zhao Yeqing said with a pale face.

Ye Ruyue calmed down: "That's right, it's pointless to trace the source now. The rumors have spread so widely and so much time has passed, it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. The most urgent thing is to clarify that our Zhao family is innocent."

She looked at Zhao Ye and said, "If others spread the word, we will too. We'll have people bribe others to spread the news. In any case, it's absolutely true that Mr. Zhou visited our residence. That's the most irrefutable evidence, and we'll definitely be able to clear our names."

“That’s right, that’s the only way for now.” Zhao Ye looked at Ye Ruyue in agreement and called out to Qian Yidong for instructions.

Old Madam Zhao looked aggrieved. "If I find out who spread these rumors, I'll skin that gossip alive!"

Zhao Ye thought dejectedly, "This is not enough, I must tear him to pieces!"

Ye Ruyue's eyes flickered slightly as she said, "Ye Lang, does that mean we shouldn't send anyone to Zizhu Pavilion anymore? If we continue to look for people at Zizhu Pavilion before the rumors are cleared up, wouldn't that make outsiders think it's true and make them even more likely to slander us?"

Zhao Ye understood this principle, but he was still unwilling to give up for the time being, so he ordered his men to keep a close watch on the situation secretly.

Ye Ruyue secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as we don't focus solely on the Purple Bamboo Pavilion, the chances of catching our fellow villagers will be smaller.

However, the matter has escalated to such an extent, yet the person still hasn't shown up. Could it be that such a person doesn't even exist, and the poem was indeed written by Zhao Ye's political enemies?

"Madam, sir, the lady has arrived!" Zhang Mama suddenly came in to report, "She also brought the young master and young lady, saying they have come to pay their respects together."

"Oh no, Ye'er is still here. It's not right for Yue'er to be here." Old Madam Zhao realized this and hurriedly told Ye Ruyue to hide in the side room behind the screen.

Ye Ruyue was somewhat reluctant, but knowing she couldn't refuse, she quickly left with a stern face.

Zhao Ye watched her retreating figure with a pang of heartache.

As soon as Ye Ruyue entered, Cheng Nanzhi brought Zhao Shize and Zhao Huaiyu in.

"I heard from the servants that my husband came straight to his mother-in-law's place as soon as he returned. It's true." Cheng Nanzhi looked ahead and had already heard from their whispers that Ye Ruyue was also there, but she pretended not to know and asked, "Are they talking about Zege'er's apprenticeship banquet?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shize worried that he hadn't done enough when he met Zhou Xiangru that morning, and nervously ran forward to ask.

Zhao Huaiyu followed Cheng Nanzhi and sat down obediently.

Neither Madam Zhao nor Zhao Ye noticed him. They explained to Zhao Shize that the matter had been resolved and that Zhou Xiangru would officially begin teaching him to read in a few days.

“Mr. Zhou really values ​​you. He’s even willing to teach you in the Zhao family’s private school instead of taking you back to Lanshan Academy,” said Madam Zhao.

Zhao Shize said smugly, "I knew it. He must be eager to teach me since I'm so good."

From now on, everyone will envy him for having such a teacher. Zhao Shize felt smug just thinking about it.

Madam Zhao and Zhao Ye smiled, their gloom dissipating considerably.

Cheng Nanzhi asked unhurriedly, "What about my husband's promotion? Is there any result yet?"

Their expressions froze again.

“My lady, please don’t mention it. My boss is a fool. He only sees the gifts and favors that other people’s wives and relatives have given him, and he doesn’t see my efforts or my innocence at all. Even if I prove my innocence, he will still give the spot to those who are not worthy of it,” Zhao Ye said, secretly blaming Cheng Nanzhi for not helping him with the arrangements, which is why he lost the opportunity.

Cheng Nanzhi looked at him and said, "Husband, this is easy."

Madam Zhao and Zhao Ye turned to look at her immediately.

"How can we stand idly by and watch such bribery happen! I'll immediately send a visiting card to some of our acquaintances and tell them that my husband was pushed out by someone else through bribery. It's really unfair. I'll ask them to plead on my husband's behalf." Cheng Nanzhi immediately got up to leave, looking distressed that Zhao Ye had been wronged.

"Wait!"

That's not the kind of favor he wants!

If others find out, he will have offended several officials who were promoted to higher ranks, and they will make things difficult for him!

Old Madam Zhao clearly realized this as well, and angrily stopped Cheng Nanzhi.

Cheng Nanzhi turned around in surprise: "What's wrong? Didn't you want me to take care of things for you, my husband? Don't worry, I will definitely help you get it back."

Zhao Ye and his wife both turned green.

Is this what you call helping? This is just making things worse and embarrassing for them!

"What kind of wife are you? Where has all your intelligence gone? Did it all disappear after your trip to the estate?!" Old Madam Zhao couldn't hold back any longer.

Cheng Nanzhi, unusually ashamed, said, "My mother-in-law is right. After I fell ill, I really couldn't think of anything. Thinking about it gave me a headache."

The two of them held their breath.

Zhao Shize and Zhao Huaiyu couldn't help but glance at Cheng Nanzhi several times.

Zhao Ye suppressed his anger and said, "Please sit down, Madam. I understand. I was just saying a few words to you, not asking for your help. I'm a grown man, I can handle this myself. It's just that I'm still inexperienced. If I miss out on the promotion, so be it. I'll wait for another time."

Cheng Nanzhi readily sat down and smiled, "I knew my husband was broad-minded. By the way, since Mr. Zhou is teaching Zege'er at the clan school, shouldn't we renovate and repair the school? Otherwise, Mr. Zhou might think we don't value him. Mother-in-law, please don't forget about this."

The two froze.

"Grandmother, Father, you must renovate it. I also want to study in the new clan school. That would be much more impressive and prestigious," Zhao Shize said coquettishly.

But after buying back "A Thousand Cranes on a Lonely River," where would they find the cash they needed?!

If they were to rummage through the storeroom again, Old Madam Zhao felt her heart couldn't take the blow.

“Nanzhi…” Old Madam Zhao looked at Cheng Nanzhi.

Cheng Nanzhi said slowly, "Mother-in-law, don't worry. Since I intend to rest and recuperate and don't want to manage the household, I won't compete with you for this job. This is also because you've done so much for Ze Ge'er, how could I not give you this opportunity?"

Zhao Shize stared longingly at Old Madam Zhao.

Old Madam Zhao subconsciously looked at Zhao Ye.

Zhao Ye silently looked away.

"Nanzhi, I still feel..."

Just as Madam Zhao was about to speak, Cheng Nanzhi stood up and said, "I understand. I will go back and choose a husband for Yu-jie. I will visit him in the next couple of days to finalize the engagement."